sleeper story of the election. More, and a nifty viz, after the jump. ">
sleeper story of the election. More, and a nifty viz, after the jump. ">
sleeper story of the election. More, and a nifty viz, after the jump. ">

Forecasting a scrum over provisional ballots | State House Sound Bites | witf.org

Forecasting a scrum over provisional ballots

It comes down to this: change the requirements people face to cast ballots, and you up the likelihood those ballots will be provisional. Provisional ballots are only counted if they can be verified. This, said one political science professor to the Post-Gazette, is the sleeper story of the election.

[Republican National Lawyers Association co-chair Heather] Heather Heidelbaugh said she does not expect battles over the provisional votes unless, of course, the final margins are close. "That's when concerns arise. People want to know the process is fair, because the American people can accept a loss or a win when they believe the process is fair."

If winning the state does come down to provisional ballots or related issues, it would mean armies of lawyers would pour into the state.

"If it is a close election, a repeat of Bush v. Gore and we need one state to decide the win and it comes down to Pennsylvania, I won't even be able to get into the courthouse," she joked.

In Pennsylvania, people who are unable to vote because of a lack of photo ID will be allowed to vote provisionally. The state says their ballots will be counted if they bring or send a copy of their acceptable photo ID within six days of the election.